SEATTLE -- Dave Villwock has been around unlimited hydroplane racing long enough to know that the first couple days of qualifying and heats can be deceiving.
Villwock counts among his most memorable of his 55 career unlimited wins the 1994 race at Seafair and 2006 in the Tri-Cities.
In those races, Villwock overcame major mechanical problems on the final day to capture victory.
So although everything has gone according to plan for Villwock thus far at the Chevrolet Cup at Seafair, the 54-year-old veteran is well aware of the contenders who are lurking before today's final at 4:45 p.m.
"We're just trying to get through and run as well as we can," Villwock said. "Here, you just don't know. Things can go bad in a hurry."
In the U-1 Miss Elam Plus, Villwock posted the top lap of 155.857 mph in Saturday's morning qualifying, the second consecutive day he topped the leaderboard.
Villwock then cruised to a first-place finish in heat racing, finishing ahead of Greg Hopp, in the U-100 Mirageboats.com.
Steve David, in the U-6 Oh Boy! Oberto, posted the fastest time of all drivers in heat racing with an average lap speed of 144.119 mph to win the first heat.
Jean Theoret, in the U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing, held off David Bryant, in the U-48 Albert Lee Presents Lakeridge Paving in the day's final heat
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Villwock wins again in San Diego
Villwock wins again in San Diego
SAN DIEGO -- Dave Villwock won his second consecutive Air National Guard Championship at San Diego Bayfair on Sunday, sweeping through all of his heats and closing in on his first national championship in four years.
Villwock won for a record ninth time on Mission Bay and as a result his U-96 Spirit of Qatar boat has more wins than any other hull in the sport's history.
Villwock also became the sport's all-time winningest driver earlier this season in Detroit. He has 65 career victories.
Liddycoat declared of hydro race in Qatar
Liddycoat declared of hydro race in Qatar
Driver Scott Liddycoat completed a magical rookie season Saturday by capturing his first unlimited hydroplane victory during a controversial finish at the Oryx Cup UIM World Championship.
Liddycoat was declared the winner by officials after they reviewed film of the start and saw that drivers Steve David, Dave Villwock and J Michael Kelly had crossed the start line early. Those drivers were given a 1-minute penalty and Liddycoat got his first career victory on the H1 Unlimited tour.
“It’s not the way I would have liked to win the first one but I’ll take it,” Liddycoat said. “This year has been unreal. I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet.”
Villwock top qualifier at San Diego
Villwock top qualifier at San Diego
SAN DIEGO -- Dave Villwock took advantage of a second opportunity and was the fastest qualifier in the U-96 Spirit of Qatar on Friday at the Air National Guard San Diego Bayfair.
Villwock posted a head-turning 164.759 mph lap during qualifying, the fastest qualifying speed he's done on the Mission Bay course under the series' current fuel restrictions.
It looked as if rival driver Steve David -- in the U-1 Oh Boy! Oberto -- would earn the fastest qualifying speed on the day, but Vilwock and his team opted for a second attempt.
HYDROS: Villwock, David win second heats in Qatar
HYDROS: Villwock, David win second heats in Qatar
Veteran drivers Dave Villwock and Steve David each won their second heat races Friday at the Oryx Cup World Championships for unlimited hydroplanes.
Villwock, whose earlier victory clinched the season championship for his team, the U-96 Spirit of Qatar, had no problem starting in lane 2 of heat 2A as he raced uncontested to the win.
Greg Hopp, starting in lane 1 in the U-100, held off Scott Liddycoat in the U-7 Valken.com and Kip Brown in the U-17 Miss Red Dot to finish second.
Hydros arrive in Qatar with new starting rules
Hydros arrive in Qatar with new starting rules
What's it like trying to race an unlimited hydroplane in the Middle East?
Steve David will tell you it's not easy.
Forget about the fact he completely flipped his U-1 Oh Boy! Oberto two years ago during the Oryx Cup World Championships in Doha, Qatar, landing right-side up, only to turn the ignition on and limp the boat back to the pits.
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